My smallholding is in the west of Ireland.
In May 2004, I bought a derelict cottage on a north facing slope of three acres of wet, rushy land.
My aim was to create a self-sustaining smallholding designed and constructed on Permaculture Principles.
This has included planting over 750 deciduous trees including a large orchard, as well as many perennials and bushes that all support the developing biodiversity here at Bealtaine, (named after the month when I first saw the cottage).
Growing food includes a continual, all-year round supply from a purpose built polytunnel.
I grow a substantial food surplus and this is channelled into the making of wines, jams, pickles, chutneys, dried foods and plants for sale.
I believe that this approach to living on this Earth forms the basis of an integrated approach to living with the planet rather than on the planet.
I love to spin, and in this part of the world I spin wool, using the surplus ‘shoddy,’ as a fertilizer and mulch for the land.
Crafting is an ongoing learning curve for me.
Workshops and Garden Visits are in continual demand and I do my best to accommodate the growing interest in Permaculture design and sustainable living.
Bealtaine Cottage and smallholding continues to be developed in keeping with Permaculture ethics.
The addition of a wood burning stove has given free hot water and central heating from a fire fuelled with wood harvested here.
The cottage did not have a kitchen sink, so one was fitted under this window…why not have a good view when washing up?
Bealtaine Cottage now sits snugly amidst the hundreds of trees planted during the past eight years.
All construction carried out at Bealtaine is worked in wood, a sustainable building material, such as the addition of the porch, above.
To encourage maximum biodiversity, vegetables, fruit, flowers, trees and shrubs are grown together, such as here in the home-made tunnel.
Abundance at Bealtaine Cottage Permaculture, Ireland.
I upload a regular blog from Bealtaine…as a way of promoting the permaculture message and encouraging others towards a better way of life.
As a way of draining the land, but harvesting the water, two ponds were constructed in 2005 and 2007.
These now form the central area of the Bog Garden, where I grow an abundance of willow, used in basketry and garden projects, as well as burning in the stove that heats the water and radiators in the cottage.
Everything grown at Bealtaine forms the basis of a quality of living that includes visual appreciation of the gardens, shown here in an indoor arrangement.
You can see and read about everything that has happened here at Bealtaine Cottage by visiting the archives and Bealtaine Cottage on YouTube.
All photos are taken here at Bealtaine Smallholding excepting days out or walks, but then this is stated…enjoy your visits to Bealtaine and you might even leave a message!
Blessings,
Colette x
P.S This was Bealtaine Cottage in 2004…before the permaculture design was applied…yes, it was rather stark and forbidding!
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This is where the orchard and vegetable garden is now.
No chemicals of any kind have been used.
All weeds were controlled with mulching.
Bealtaine Cottage is also on YouTube…with over 85 videos about Permaculture, planting, growing and living.
There are over 500 blogs in the archives on this site.
Donations are always welcome.
Thank you!
Thank you for supporting this blog
Hi, nice to meet you !
You’re welcome to the blog!!
Hi. Great site, fantastic work you are doing, keep it up!
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Great to hear from you, Cormac!
Blessings from all at Bealtaine Cottage!
Colx
I look at that arch in the lower picture and it’s so inspirational. I can only imagine walking through it into a self-sufficient world where ‘big business’ and ‘consumerism’ holds no sway – Fair play to you!
Beautiful job!
This is just what I am aiming for Have been on my property nearly 3 years and finding it heavy going, as I am not getting any younger, but seeing your pics give me inspiration.I am in Geevagh
co sligo very clay soil,heavy going.
Clay is the most fertile soil there is and does really well under a permaculture system. Don’t lose heart, just keep planting…it will all pay fantastic dividends!
My 6 yr old daughter and I have just relaxed and enjoyed your gorgeous garden on a very humid 36 degree summer evening in Canberra, Australia. Our new (sort-of) permaculture garden looks a little different to yours with its huge gum trees, 700m block, limited rain and limited sun because of the trees. However our chooks are happy and so are we. Thanks for sharing your garden and your joy in living in it.
I wish you much happiness in you permaculture garden and home.
It is a fact that together we can heal the earth. Each garden, smallholding, farm or even windowbox that embraces the ethics of permaculture begins healing the environment around that area. Keep up the good work!
Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.
Blessings
Colette
Hello, your blog is a delight and a model for me and
many others. Will you allow me to write an article
on my blog about Bealtaine Cottage? I would
very pleased to make known to my friends
and visitors. Congratulations for your masterpiece
Thank you for your lovely comments.
I am happy for you to write about Bealtaine Cottage.
If this serves as an inspiration to others, then I am doubly happy!
Blessings,
Colette.
Thank you very much Colette .
Hi!
I have really enjoyed looking at your blogs. I am trying to start with growing my own veg and making preserves. I was just wondering what the jars on this page are full of? They look beautiful! Hope you know which picture I mean…. Thanks again for the inspiration.
Hi Kristi, Great to hear from you and more power to you growing your own veg! The jars are filled with Apple Jelly, which is delicious and wholesome and has so many uses, but is fantastic with cheese and bread!
I’ll be making lots more this year and photoblogging for you to follow, so plant an apple tree and get ahead!
Blessings,
Colette x
Myself and my wife are moving back to Ireland in the next year with the intention to buy land and start our own permaculture. At the moment were looking at Clare and Leitrim sites and doing research.
Thanks for you blog, we as many find it inspirational. Would you have any recommendations on the type of soil table to go for and do you have contact with any permaculture initiatives/groups in those counties?
Keep it up and maybe we’ll come visit next year.)
All the best,
Darragh.
Hi Daragh, I’m happy you have found the blog inspirational and of use! If I had the money I would have bought good land…my personal poverty propelled me towards the cheapest smallholding on the market. I was told there was nothing to be grown here without copious amounts of chemicals, but…the rest is permaculture history!
I have no active contact with groups in Ireland, but many online! I’m too busy…and in the process of writing a book about permaculture.
You are welcome to come see all here…and if I can be of any help then I will try to make some time for you both!
Blessings
Colette.
Hi Colette! just discovered your website and what a lovely few hours I have spent looking at the lovely photos. What an achievement, and so lovely that you made the photos and information available to everyone.
I’m from Ireland but living in Sweden at the moment, where the growing season is short but soooo intense! We only just pruned our 2 apple trees today (Spring starts ‘officially’ 25 March where we live) and there is still heavy snow on the ground, but the sun is warm and those swelling apple buds fill us with such joy and excitement of the fruit ahead. Still waiting for the daffodils!
We come to Ireland often and would love to visit sometime, but imagine your days mighty busy
Wishing you bounteous spring and summer flowering delights, All the best – Helen and Stephen.
Helen and Stephen…it’s good to meet you! Sweden sounds a bit like Canada in terms of the growing season, so I imagine you have much work and lots to look forward to!
Anytime you are in Ireland and are in this area, you are most welcome to visit. My number is on this site and email too…somewhere…but you can always message me here and I will respond, of course!
My aim is to inspire and encourage people to be at one with Gaia in growing and creating gardens. Simplicity, re-cycling and abundance form the core of this simple philosophy. If Bealtaine can help visitors to see that and adopt a similar approach then I am happy to take the time and share Bealtaine with them!
Blessings,
Colette.
Hi all
Just introducing ourselves – Richard and Averil – at present in Gloucestershire, and looking in to moving back to Ireland where we both have our roots. We made contact with Colette last week, and hope to visit very soon…
“I love to sit still in one place and observe how nature takes care of things when we work withhert and give her the chance. This inspires my painting” (Averil)
“Permaculture just makes so much sense to me, I am beginning to see the simplicity of it, and how less is more…” (Richard)
Looking forward to meeting you both!
Blessings,
Colette
Thank you for posting this blog! It is very inspirational! I’ve just started getting into Permaculture and it is nice to see that it can be a reality to use and ‘live’ all the principles.
It’s good to hear from you, Shyra! Permaculture has brought freedom and abundance here at Bealtaine and it’s good to share! Let me and the world know how it changes your life too…as it will!
Blessings and Abundance
Colette x
Hello,
Your Blog and Lifestyle Re truly inspirational…thank you and keep blogging!
Blessed be!
Should read ‘are truly’….(stupid iPad ! )
Hi, I love your blog. My husband is studying horticulture in the Botanic Gardens and is a huge advocate of permaculture. You are such an inspiration for us. We hope to achieve what you have one day. Thanks for a great blog!
This is close to how I grow up. In a small cottage at the back of a farm in Essex, not west of Ireland, but it was still very close to this style of life. The owner was brilliant at running a truly natural mixed farm. That was the why it was in the 1950s, but once it was sold, my parents moved and I lost all interest in Old Barn. The next farm, Spring Field, was identical, a bit larger. The same thing happened there too, so they moved again and by this time. 1970S, I had lost all hope for farming or growing real food. Then in 1991, I attended a talk, the subject was new. It sounded wonderful, it opened my mind. This was my first introduction to Permaculture. From that day on, I have gone from strength to strength. Slowly, slowly some times, getting side tracked on the way, but never losing sight of my aims or long term goals. I studded conservation, woodland management, organic growing and many more course on Permaculture. I am now back on track working on a project close to my own heart. Keep up the good work.
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Good to meet you, Stewart and welcome to the world of permaculture that you are obviously delighting in as well! There is a little bit of Essex here at Bealtaine in the form of the new porch I built onto the cottage…it’s constructed using all wood with a shiplap exterior, as in all the lovely old Essex barns!
Regards, Colette
the blog’s reorganization and new look are great! eric
Thanks Eric…and it continues to evolve, which is how it all is…and what makes life so very interesting, don’t you think? The past 7 years here at Bealtaine has changed my whole life! Instead of accepting, I now question everything and find out new stuff all the time! Permaculture has defined how I see the world!
Blessings to you and yours, Eric…Colette
just wanted to find out if you have open days for visiting, and where exactly you are. I have so much to learn although been in Irland 10 years am not from this climate. I have poly now this is my first year growing and really would love to learn more
Hi Briony! I live in the north bit of Roscommon, near the village of Keadue, near the town of Boyle. I am happy to show visitors around and explain how Permaculture works and answer any questions! If you want to visit it is best to arrange on email…coletteoneill2010@hotmail.com
best wishes, Colette.
Thanks a million I will contact you by email soon I am in Geevagh to not too far from you looking forward to meeting you
I found your site last week and was instantly entranced – I dipped into it here and then and then decided that I had to return each day and work my way through all your postings and follow Bealtaine through the seasons. Stunningly photographed and passionately written, it has been an absolute inspiration to see how you have single handedly created a place of great magic and from such an unpromising beginning too. I have been a passionate organic gardener all my life, and some years back started to take an interest in permaculture, read Gaia’s Garden and was surprised and gratified to find that we were some way along the road already, so much is common sense. Bealtaine shows me how much more is possible. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and your wisdom.
sue
What a wonderful compliment and thank you so much, Sue. I have just waved goodbye to yet more visitors to Bealtaine and as you have probably read here, keep open gardens to all who want to learn about permaculture, want to see or just are growing enthusiasts.
I hope you continue to explore all aspects of permaculture and find inspiration for your journey!
Without any doubt, Permaculture changes lives and heals the Earth…loving it all!
Colette
Hi Colette,
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit your place a couple of times already. Would love to visit again soon to reinfect myself with your enthusiasm!!! Well done…
Your blog is as inspirational as your garden and your lovely self
Lorna
Hi there Lorna…I remember you! You are welcome to visit…just call first to make sure I’m around! 0863345639. It’s grown a lot since you were here last!
Best Wishes, Colette.
Thank you for this lovely blog!
I have never visited Bealtaine Cottage but hope to one day. It looks absolutely beautiful! So diverse, colorful, creative, abundant with all the goodness life has to offer. I could keep going on but in short thank you for the inspiration! Best wishes in the future
All those of good heart…welcome…always.
Colx
I am working my way through all of your blog Colette and it always inspires and motivates me. Could I ask you, did you start by putting up your polytunnel or planting your fruit and veg. first?
I’ve got a decent size garden and 3 veg. beds and some fruit trees (that have yet to produce, even after 4 years) but I have alot of grass and overgrown area.
I can’t help feeling that it’s wasted not to do something with it but I feel a bit overwhelmed about what to do first.
The grass area tends to hold the water and is quite boggy even after a bit of rain so I’m not sure what to do about that.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Best wishes to you.
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Fruit trees need bees and pollinators. Bees and pollinators need maximum biodiversity. My advice is plant, plant, plant. Boggy areas can support willow and birch and many trees and plants beloved of bees and pollinators. Walk your land. Make a path along the more raised and drier bits. Plant on either side. Now is a great time to insert cuttings straight into the ground. It is easier to cut things down rather than wait for them to grow, so get planting and be as intuitive with your land as possible! Put the tunnel up as and when you can afford to. Go out and make a deep connection to your land…walk it, engage and befriend it. Let the earth speak to your deepest intuition and emotion. The rest will follow.
Colx
Thanks for taking the time to reply Colette.
The tunnel (a small one by tunnel standards) is up and I’ve been using it to store wood but I am determined to sort that out today.
I’m going to use some of it to extend my raised beds.
I love being out and always have the company of my chickens looking for a worm to be turned up for them.
I have spent many an hour reading your blog and it always has such a calming effect.
Many thanks for sharing your learning and your journey.
I hope many more blessings come your way.
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You are one of many making the re-connection with Mother Earth…what a wonderful time we live in. Thanks for your good wishes.
Bless you,
Colx